Remember when cable companies would charge extra for HD video?
Streaming services like Amazon and Netflix used to avoid such tactics. To make their offerings more appealing, most of them would include the best possible video and audio quality at no extra charge.
That’s changed over the past couple of years, as the streamers focus on making each subscriber as profitable as possible. Charging extra for advanced audio and video formats—including 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Vision—is their way of hoovering up loose change from their couch potatoes’ couches.
Inspired by Amazon’s recent removal of Dolby Atmos and Vision support from its basic Prime Video plan, I looked at every major streaming service and what they’re charging for better video and audio quality. Today, only Apple TV+ and Peacock offer 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Atmos at no extra charge–and the latter doesn’t offer much content in those formats to begin with. The rest move at least some of those formats into pricier tiers, or they don’t support them at all.
A look at each service’s offerings
Amazon Prime Video
- 4K, HDR10, and HDR10+ included in all plans (starting at $9 per month for video only)
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos require the new $3-per-month ad-free upgrade
- See a list of 4K HDR and Dolby content on Amazon Prime Video
Apple TV+
- 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos included ($10 per month)
- See a list of 4K HDR and Dolby content on Apple TV+ (nearly the entire catalog)
DirecTV Stream
- 4K streaming included in all plans (starting at $80 per month)
- See channels 104-106 for 4K content
Disney+
- 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision included in all plans (which start at $8 per month)
- Dolby Atmos requires ad-free Disney+ Premium ($14 per month)
- See a list of 4K HDR and Dolby content on Disney+
Fubo
- 1080p included in base plan ($92 per month, including regional sports fees)
- 4K HDR requires “Elite” plan ($102 per month, including regional sports fees)
- See Fubo’s schedule of upcoming 4K and HDR events
Hulu
- 4K HDR included in all plans (on-demand tier only, which starts at $8 per month)
- No Dolby Vision or Atmos support
- Live channels on Hulu + Live TV do not support 4K
- See a list of 4K HDR content on Hulu
Max
- 1080p video included in Max With Ads ($10 per month) and Ad-Free ($16 per month)
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos included for live sports ($10 per month add-on, currently in free preview)
- 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos require Ultimate ($20 per month)
- See a list of 4K HDR and Dolby content on Max
Netflix
- 1080p video included in Basic with Ads ($7 per month) and Standard ($15.49 per month)
- 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos require Premium ($22.99 per month)
- See a list of 4K HDR and Dolby content on Netflix
Peacock
- 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos included in Peacock Premium ($6 per month)
- See a list of 4K HDR and Dolby content on Peacock. (Only one Atmos title supported)
Paramount+
- 1080p video included in Paramount+ Essential ($6 per month)
- 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos included in Paramount+ with Showtime ($12 per month)
- See a list of 4K HDR and Dolby content on Paramount+
YouTube Premium
- 4K HDR video included for free
- “Enhanced” 1080p video with higher bit rates require YouTube Premium ($14 per month)
YouTube TV
- 1080p included in base plan ($73 per month)
- 4K requires “4K Plus” add-on ($10 per month)
- See a list of YouTube TV channels with “select live and on-demand” 4K content
Before you sign up
Note that even if you are paying extra for 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Atmos, you’ll need the right equipment to actually take advantage. Our earlier guide to these formats has you covered.
Sign up for Jared’s Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter for more help making sense of the streaming landscape.
Author: Jared Newman
Jared Newman has been helping folks make sense of technology for over a decade, writing for PCWorld, TechHive, and elsewhere. He also publishes two newsletters, Advisorator for straightforward tech advice and Cord Cutter Weekly for saving money on TV service.